Happy New Year!

Adventureland - Filmed at Kennywood

Directed by Greg Mottola. With Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Martin Starr.

A comedy set in the summer of 1987 and centered around a recent college grad (Eisenberg) who takes a nowhere job at his local amusement park, only to find it's the perfect course to get him prepared for the real world.

Release date March 27, 2009




Filmed at Kennywood.

New Year's Eve Celebration

The Salvation Army Steel Valley/Homestead Corps is hosting their annual New Year's Eve Celebration on Wednesday December 31, 2008 from 6:00 pm to 1:00 am.

Happy New Year!

Events:
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Worship Service

7:00 pm - Midnight
Fun, Food and Fellowship.
Movies, Games, Tournaments, Food, Refreshments, Popcorn,
Play in the Pittsburgh Steelers Youth Fitness Zone.

Midnight
New Year's Countdown

FREE!
All Welcome!
Fun for the Whole Family!
Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Salvation Army
Steel Valley Worship and Service Center
104 E. 9th Ave.
Homestead, PA 15120

Captains Keith & Katherine Jache,
Steel Valley Commanding Officers
(412) 461-2460

ALL WELCOME!

Movie Showtimes and On-Line Tickets

A new feature on Steel Valley Matters is the listing for Movie Showtimes.

Included are showtimes, on-line tickets, box office information, trailers, reviews, ratings and information from The Internet Movie Database IMDb.

To purchase tickets from Fandango, just click on the movie times (AMC Loews Waterfront 22 Only).

Waterfront's AMC-Loews to get IMAX

On January 23rd AMC Loews Theatre at The Waterfront will open their new IMAX movie screens.

Experience it in IMAX. Hear More. See More. Feel More.

IMAX (short for Image MAXimum) is a film format created by Canada's IMAX Corporation that has the capacity to display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film display systems. A standard IMAX screen is 22 metres (72 ft) wide and 16.1 metres (53 ft) high, but can be larger. As of 2008, IMAX is the most widely used system for large-format, special-venue film presentations


AMC Loews Waterfront 22
300 W. Waterfront Drive,
West Homestead, PA
(800) 326-3264 x790

Rt. 837 traffic near Rankin Bridge to be re-routed

December 29, 2008
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Allegheny County Public Works today announced that traffic patterns will change for motorists traveling on Route 837 North through the Rankin Bridge project beginning Monday.

The Rankin Bridge underpass on the Whitaker side will be closed for reconstruction.

All traffic heading toward Homestead on Route 837 North will be re-routed through the intersection between the Rankin Bridge and 837.

No detour is posted, but additional delays are anticipated.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

What Christmas is All About.......

WMASD CLOSING/DELAY INFORMATION

Due to the weather conditions the
West Mifflin Area School District
will have a TWO HOUR DELAY on
 
MONDAY - DECEMBER 22, 2008.

Sheriff’s Paddy Wagon, Not Santa’s Sleigh, Delivers Gifts To Underprivileged Kids

WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. -(WPXI)- The sight of a sheriff’s paddy wagon is not customarily associated with hope and joy. However, many local families enjoyed watching their kids climb into the back of the sheriff’s wagon on Thursday.

Thanks to friends at the West Mifflin Wal-Mart, the paddy wagon was filled with toys for the sheriff’s Tree Of Hope-Angel Tree program. The program, celebrating over 20 years of service, provides gifts to underprivileged boys and girls in the Pittsburgh area.

On Thursday, the sheriff’s paddy wagon was at the West Mifflin Wal-Mart parking lot to distribute the toys.

From there, it made its way to the Tree Of Hope headquarters in Harrison Township to unload toys for distribution throughout Allegheny County.

8th Annual Dickens of a Christmas Home Tour

As part of the 110th Anniversary celebration of the Carnegie Library of Homestead, the Historic Munhall Library Estates and the Carnegie Library of Homestead have partnered to bring you the best of the Christmas spirit. Join us for a wonderful dinner and a home tour this Christmas season.

Tickets for the Home Tour: $15

*Dinner only: $45

*Dinner & Tour: $55

*If you plan on having dinner, tickets must be purchased by December 10, 2008.

Tickets can be purchased up to and including the night of the event.

Munhall residents likely facing ANOTHER tax hike

By MICHAEL DIVITTORIO,

Daily News Staff Writer

12/18/2008

Munhall council adopted its proposed budget with a 1-mill tax increase.

All six councilors present at Wednesday night's meeting voted in favor of the budget. Council Vice President Jill Fleming-Salopek was absent.

Councilman Dan Lloyd cast the only dissenting vote on a second budget-related motion, regarding the first reading of the proposed ordinance setting the millage rate at 10.25 mills.

One mill generates approximately $271,000.

"I don't think we're done trimming the fat yet," Lloyd said.

Some of that trimming could include cutting $100,000 that is set aside for a public works director.

Lloyd said the borough entered into an agreement with the director one or two years ago to pay him $70,000 for reported overtime throughout the years of service. Part of the agreement was that the director would retire, but that has not happened.

Council President Bernie Shields said he remembers the issue, and remembered voting against the agreement, and that there would be a "personnel issue" attended to today.

Several personnel issues, including the three-year police contract council agreed to Wednesday, among other increasing costs, were some of the major factors leading to a potential tax increase.

"We have to do more with less," Shields said. "It will be finalized by (Dec. 30). We can't talk about personnel, but there will be personnel decisions between now and the 30th."

Essay winners confirm: Family found in heart, not just in bloodline

Thursday, December 18, 2008

By Mary Niederberger, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Families come in all shapes and sizes, face numerous challenges and, in the end, sometimes the people who love you the most don't share any DNA.

Those were the sentiments expressed by some students in the Steel Valley School District in the essays they wrote for a contest sponsored by Green's Funeral Home in Munhall, "What Family Means to Me."

One student winner was chosen from each of the district's four schools, Barrett and Park elementaries and the middle and high schools. Winners had their essays read at a recent school board meeting.

The younger students received $50 Barnes & Noble gift cards, while Ashley Wolford received a $100 check and the chance to have her essay entered into a national competition sponsored by Aurora Casket Co.

When senior Ashley, 17, -- who was the winner from the high school -- heard about the contest she knew it was her opportunity to pay tribute to her stepmother, Gina Wolford.

"The first thing that came to my mind was that I wanted to tell her how much she means to me," Ashley said.

Ashley said she was abandoned by her biological mother when she was 9 years old. Several years later, her father started to date the woman who would become his second wife and "she welcomed me no matter what, even though I was pretty mean to her at first," Ashley said.

She said her stepmother has shown her that "family doesn't really mean the people who you are born to."

In her essay, she wrote: "The true meaning of a family has nothing to do with DNA. Family makes up the people who choose to love and stick by you no matter what happens."

Middle school student Erin Barefoot, 14, in eighth grade, also focused on her mother in her essay. But Erin's essay talked about how her family joined together to help her mother fight breast cancer twice.

The first time Erin's mother, Joyce Barefoot, was diagnosed with breast cancer was in 2000 it was around the time of Erin's sixth birthday, she said. Despite the diagnosis her family had a bowling party for Erin's birthday.

Several years ago, Mrs. Barefoot was diagnosed with breast cancer a second time.

"This time I was a lot older and it scared me, but I knew we had already been through this before and we could do it again," Ashley wrote.

She said during her mother's illnesses, her family, which also includes brother Thomas, 18, and sister Kelly 16, pitched in to keep the household functioning and to help her mother recover.

That meant, her dad, Brian, did most of the cooking.

"Dad did a pretty good job with that, only I have to say, my mom is a better cook," Erin said.

Erin also wrote about her own medical diagnosis: scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. She is required to wear a plastic brace to keep her spine in place and faces surgery in June. She wrote that she is "scared" about the surgery,

"Even though I'm scared I know my family will be there every step of the way. They will protect me, love men and make me laugh at myself," she wrote.

Erin said the message that she would like the public to take from her essay is this: "My family goes through much stuff everyday and we always find a way to love each other and that's what every family should do. No matter what they go through they should always be together and they should always love each other."

Elementary essay winners Savannah Merrill from Park and Karly Deutsch from Barrett, both fifth-graders, had differing themes in their essays.

Karly wrote about her large extended family, whose members live in Munhall and the traditions they uphold for the holidays, including their traditional Christmas Eve dinner of doughballs, sauerkraut and fish.

"A family means more than just the people who live in your house. I have three cousins, five aunts and seven uncles and a pap and grandma," Karly said.

She said this holiday season will be difficult because it will be the first without her maternal grandmother, who died last summer.

Karly also wrote about her little sister, Kacee.

"My little sister and I fight all of the time and we share the same bedroom. But I would miss her so much if I didn't have her," Karly wrote.

But for Savannah, family means just two people: Her and her mother, Donna Jean Dragojevich.

"My parents are divorced and it's just my mom and me," Savannah said.

Her essay points out the advantages of a two-person family.

"We have a lot less laundry. We have less expensive vacations and there's only two people so it's easier to agree where to go," she said.

"We are just like any other family," Savannah said. "We go grocery shopping and do all of the same things that other families do. Any amount of people still makes a family."

Jonas Brothers - Salvation Army Half-Time Show , Thanksgiving Day

To give to the Steel Valley Matters Red Kettle Campaign click the link below:

http://give.salvationarmyusa.org/goto/svm

DOING THE MOST GOOD!

West Mifflin Area Schools Early Dismissal

Due to the threat of inclement weather conditions the West Mifflin Area School District will dismiss 1/2 HOUR EARLY TODAY, 
 
TUESDAY - DECEMBER 16, 2008.
 
ALL EVENING ACTIVITIES ARE CANCELLED! 

Holiday Market

Steel Valley Arts Council (SVAC)

artspace 105

105 East 8^th Avenue, Homestead.

Wednesdays 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Saturdays Noon - 4:00 p.m.

through December 24^th

Every item is handmade; e.g., hats, purses, scarves, bookmarks, a collection of prints by George Nama to name a few. Hope to see you there. Free gift wrapping with purchase. www.steelvalleyarts.org steelvalleyartscouncil@comcast.net Happy Holidays.

Menorah Parade and Lighting

Join the Great Menorah Car Parade thru the city of Pittsburgh On Sunday December 21, 2008.

Followed by a Grand Menorah Lighting at the Waterfront Town Center at 5:30 pm.

The Great Menorah Car Parade begins at Lubavitch Center in Squirrel Hill at 4:30 pm and ends at the Waterfront in Homestead.

Eat 'N Park Christmas Star Commercial

11 Days and 1.3 Million Dollars To Raise - Western Pennsylvania Salvation Army Issues Red Kettle Report

PITTSBURGH, Dec 12, 2008 /PRNewswire --

With only ten days left, volunteers, officers and staff of The Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Division have their work cut out for them. The 28-county service area must raise 1.3 million more dollars to hit its $2,445,000 goal.

"This is a tough season," said The Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Divisional Commander, Major Robert J. Reel. He explained, "This economic downturn hit us hard. We hope and pray to hit our goal, but even if we do, our client caseload has jumped by a minimum of 20%." Reel continued, "We have faith that our donors will pull through, but it's going to be a roller coaster ride to Christmas eve."

Kettles that are behind include the following seven areas of service: Ellwood City; Erie; Johnstown; McKeesport; Meadville; Pittsburgh's East Liberty, and Steel Valley/Homestead. Reel said, "The danger in reporting totals is that they change minute by minute. The weather, number of kettles and volunteers, and the economy make this fundraising effort extremely challenging." Salvation Army Red Kettles account for roughly 10% to 20% of each local Worship and Service Center's budget. In smaller communities with fewer resources, they play an even larger role in fundraising. Money raised within a neighborhood remains there to support families specifically in that area.

Salvation Army fundraising and delivery of service are segmented according to zip code. That means each facility in every community is independent of one another. Reel explained, "If kettles in one town are productive, that doesn't mean the neighboring community is doing well. Each of our forty-two locations has its own separate budget and red kettle goal. Additionally, service is provided according to a resident's home address, minimizing duplication of service and stretching the donor dollar further.

If you are interested in either volunteering at a kettle or providing a site, contact your local Salvation Army. If you are in Allegheny County, contact Special Events Coordinator, Colleen Ley at 412-394-4870. Major Reel said, "We welcome parents and children. It is a wonderful way for families to give back and it really celebrates the spirit of the holidays in a personal way." Donors may also give online by logging onto http://give.salvationarmyusa.org/goto/svm and indicating where their funds should be directed. Income from red kettles stays within the community where it is raised or selected online.

Steel Valley Matters is hosting a Salvation Army Online Red Kettle and collecting donations to help those in need this Christmas. Our Kettle is just like those Red Kettles you see when you're out shopping, but it's online. If you'd like to donate, just click the link to our personal page below, and help The Salvation Army help thousands of people in need.

http://give.salvationarmyusa.org/goto/svm

Or you may mail donations to:

The Salvation Army ~ Steel Valley Corps
P.O. Box 395
Homestead, PA 15120-0395


Thanks,
Steel Valley Matters

The 2008 Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade

Mr. McFeeley comes to Steel Valley "neighborhood"

By Michael Divittorio
Daily News Staff Writer

Blustery winds and chilly temperatures could not stop a speedy delivery at this year's Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade.

Nealy 20 fire trucks representing departments from Homestead, West Homestead, Munhall, Whitaker and West Mifflin led the way for Grand Marshal Mr. McFeeley from Misters Rogers' Neighborhood at Saturday's parade.

McFeeley, otherwise known as David Newell, said he is honored to have been selected to participate in this year's festivities, and was surprised at how many people recognized him.

"The people were so friendly, and they all knew Mister Rogers Neighborhood," said Newell, who is director of public relations for Family Communications. "It's interesting. The adults were waving and so were the children, and their grandmothers were waving. It makes me feel good."

McFeeley was selected as the grand marshal because 2008 is the 40th anniversary of his participation in the late Mr. Rogers family-oriented program. He stood alongside Purple Panda on a float of King Friday's castle with a depiction of the famous trolley provided by Kennywood.

"It's his 40th year," Homestead Program Coordinator Denise Kelly said. That has to be recognized. That has to be celebrated."

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood continues to air in syndication on WQED.

This marks the 15th year that Kelly has coordinated the parade. She said it went well, but the weather had an impact on the turnout.

"If it wasn't for the cold, it would have been wonderful," Kelly said. "If the weather was better, every street would be lined up (with people). It's one of the coldest days of the year. It was a wonderful parade. We hope to make it bigger every year."

Homestead Mayor Betty Esper walked in the parade with her dog, and Munhall Mayor Raymond Bodnar also participated. Both said they thought it was a tremendous experience for them and the surrounding area.

"I think it's going very nice," Esper said. "this is a cold day and everybody's out and everybody's enjoying it."

"One of the greatest events of the whole year," Bodnar said. "We look forward to it every year, and it gets bigger and better for the Steel Valley. It's beautiful."

McFeeley participated in another community's parade last week, and headed to an event in downtown Pittsburgh shortly after the Steel Valley parade. He said his time in the Homestead area will be one of great memories.

"It makes you feel so good to be able to go to different neighborhoods in Pittsburgh," he said. "This is great to go to another neighborhood, and they all equally know "The Neighborhood."

More than 100 groups, organizations, officials, businesses and other entities participated in this year's parade sponsored by United States Steel Corp. Among those featured along the parade route were Mon Valley Harley Owners Group, Steel Valley Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scout Pack 15, Homestead Park United Methodist Church, Steel Valley Council of governments and officials from the Carnegie Library of Homestead.

There were performances by the West Mifflin High School Band and the Steel Valley Show Steppers and other groups. The event concluded with pictures with Santa at Shop'n Save's parking lot.

Kelly announced the winners of the parade contest later that afternoon. There was a tie for best float with the Waterfront Christian Church under the direction of Larry Seigworth, and the Community of Crucified One in Homestead under the direction of Chris Haigs and Bishop Jonathan Stewart. They Split a $500 prize.

The Monroeville joyful Twirlers under the direction of Tracey Poach won for best marching group. The West Mifflin High School Marching Band under the direction of Devon Smeal won for best marching band. Tracey's Place along Eighth Avenue won for best decorated store front.

Earning honorable mention for decorated store front are Outer Skin, Waterfront embroidery, Penn Automotive and Computer Gooroo.

"We hope they all come back next year," Kelly said. "We really want to thank them. Things like parades and light-up nights give people hope."

Step into the past

Homestead library room re-created in 1920 design

Thursday, December 11, 2008

By Mary Niederberger, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Mon Valley residents can experience the area's historic past while looking out upon present-day developments from the new adult reading room at the Carnegie Library of Homestead.

The room, which has been restored to what library officials believe is its original design, sits in the front of the 110-year-old library and overlooks what was once the massive U.S. Steel Homestead Works, now the site of the sprawling retail and entertainment complex, The Waterfront.

That room design was taken from a black-and-white photo of the room that library officials believe dates to about 1920.

The project was completed and dedicated last month and was financed by grants from the Donald A. Abraham Memorial committee and former Homestead native William Campbell.

Mr. Abraham was a popular state legislator from the area who was killed in a car accident in 1978. Mr. Campbell is chairman of Intuit Inc. and a major benefactor to projects in the Mon Valley area.

Library officials have not released a total cost on the project.

The lamps and other items in the reading room were made to replicate those from the 1920s photo by an Oregon firm called Rejuvenation, said Eddie Wehrer, a library board member involved in the restoration project.

"We sent them pictures and dimensions and they worked from that," Mr. Wehrer said.

The restoration included uncovering a fireplace and the rebuilding of the woodwork and mantel.

The outside vent to the fireplace had been closed, so artificial logs sit in its hearth. Two chairs and a table and lamp sit in front of the fireplace and two lamps sit on the mantel, making it a bright place to sit and read.

Also restored was the hardwood floor in the room, which had been covered with layers of carpet and padding. Volunteers ripped up the old carpet.

"It was very hard, dirty, nasty work, but the volunteers who did it saved the project about $7,000," Mr. Wehrer said.

The walls of the room are covered with wooden bookshelves filled with adult fiction. Various chairs, tables and lamps are set for reading.

The black-and-white photo used as a model for the restoration sits on an easel at the entrance to the room to show visitors that the space has been restored almost completely to its original design.

The project started Aug. 30 when volunteers and librarians began dismantling and moving items from the room.

"The librarians oversaw the process, but most of the work was done by volunteers and board members. It was a real joint venture between board members, community volunteers and the contractors," Mr. Wehrer said.

It was dedicated Nov. 14 as part of the ceremony for the first-ever Steel Valley Hall of Fame induction.

"I think it's something the community can really be proud of," Mr. Wehrer said. "It keeps the original intent but makes sure it's a place that makes good, productive use for patrons in the 21st century."

Waterfront Holiday Weekend Schedule

Karaoke at Bar Louie for Children's Hospital

Bar Louie Waterfront, DJ Rockin' Bob's and Eat' n Park Present
Caring for Kids Karaoke

THURSDAY DECEMBER 11, 2008

7 PM TO 1 AM

BAR LOUIE

WATERFRONT

ALL DONATIONS BENEFIT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH

Macy's Friends and Family Sale

Receive the Macy's Employee Discount
December 10th through December 15th with the Friends and Family Sale.

Simply print this Coupon to receive your Friends and Family Discount!